US20210052214A1 - Transiluminator for mapping the blood vessels of the face - Google Patents
Transiluminator for mapping the blood vessels of the face Download PDFInfo
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- US20210052214A1 US20210052214A1 US16/578,621 US201916578621A US2021052214A1 US 20210052214 A1 US20210052214 A1 US 20210052214A1 US 201916578621 A US201916578621 A US 201916578621A US 2021052214 A1 US2021052214 A1 US 2021052214A1
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- transilluminator
- cable
- head
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- intranasal
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Images
Classifications
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- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
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- A61B1/00142—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
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- A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
- A61B1/07—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
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- A61B5/0059—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
- A61B5/0082—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes
- A61B5/0084—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters
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- A61B5/0082—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes
- A61B5/0084—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters
- A61B5/0086—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters using infrared radiation
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- A61B1/24—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of medical devices. More specifically, the present invention is related to the field of medical devices configured for detecting and mapping blood veins and arteries of the human body.
- the transillumination technique with the use of an appropriate equipment eases up the mapping of blood vessels, allowing the previous mapping of such elements. This way these structures are preserved, bringing more safety to invasive procedures that may need puncture/injections. This diminishes the risk of complications and iatrogenics.
- the patient's body superposes the illuminated surface of a table, and above the patient's body, in the opposite side of the light source, it is placed a light receptor, associated to a digital monitor.
- the output of the device is exhibited trough a displayed image of the vascularized body in said digital monitor.
- transilluminators Although the prior art techniques already comprise transilluminators, there are some regions of the human body that are hard to be targeted by the transilluminators available today. In said regions, it is rather difficult to perform a esthetical or surgical intervention without exposing the patient to a high risk.
- injectable pharmaceuticals called “fillers” or “support wires” (gels based on hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite, polymethyl methacrylate, polydioxanone wires, etc.), are applied to the patient's face.
- fillers or “support wires”
- gels based on hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite, polymethyl methacrylate, polydioxanone wires, etc. gels based on hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite, polymethyl methacrylate, polydioxanone wires, etc.
- the complete absorption/dissolution by the human body is very slow. It may take up to two years until a complete dissolution of the injected substance. Some of the factors that may alter the absorption time are: physical features, chemical attributes and mechanical details of the injected substance, as well the physiological data regarding the patient.
- necrosis of the facial skin by the obstruction of a blood vessel.
- the necrosis generally occurs when the blood vessels are partially or totally blocked in a facial filling.
- the blood vessels are partially obstructed by compression when an excessive volume of substance in injected nearby the blood vessel; on the other hand, they are completely blocked when the filling material is injected inside the blood vessel (this is when the vascular embolism, happens).
- the injection of filling substances nearby the blood vessels may contribute to the appearance of necrosis, local edemas and bruises.
- These inconveniences related to the regions supplied by the facial artery and its ramifications, may comprise the upper third, middle third and lower third of the face; the eye region, nose sides and nose tip; lips and mentalis.
- the facial artery originates from the external carotid.
- This artery travels a tortuous path toward the nose wing under the risorius and zygomaticus major muscles, passing superficially to the buccinator and elevator anteroposterior muscles and having a variable relationship with the upper lip lift.
- When approaches the inferior lip it ramifies into inferior lip's artery and superior lip artery. It also ramifies towards the nose in its nasal artery, whereby it is called angular artery, dividing itself in many branches that penetrate the facial muscles.
- the necrosis of the muscular tissue and the dermic tissue by the accidental injection of lifting substance may occur in 24 hours after the artery obstruction or in 72 hours when a vein is obstructed.
- anatomy books commonly reveal technical illustrations of symmetrical representations of the facial artery, with the contours and branches of the facial artery not reflecting the reality with a lot of precision.
- Anatomy books may give a didactive representation of the facial artery, but cadaver dissections commonly reveal randomic and assimetric patterns of the facial artery.
- Some scientific papers even prove that the facial artery and the lip artery branch are quite randomic in terms of their path and assimetric in when compared to the artery in the other side of the face. In some cases, some patients don't even reveal the lip artery branch and some other branches of the facial artery.
- the prior art techniques may allow the mapping of the facial blood vessels through magnetic resonance angiography imaging, color doppler ultrasonography or tomography. But, in most cases, these techniques are forsaken by the patient or the health professional due to their high cost and complexity. This is why it is very rare to see any of them prior to the execution of esthetical procedures and facial surgeries.
- the prior art does not comprise a transilluminator capable of mapping facial blood vessels efficiently, allowing the health professional the execution of esthetical procedures and facial surgeries with safety and efficiency in his own clinic before each procedure.
- the objectives of the present invention are:
- an intraoral transilluminator configured to reveal some important blood vessels, avoiding, therefore, the necrosis and the uprising of bruises in the middle and lower thirds of the face after the execution of aesthetica)/surgical procedures, especially in the blood vessels connected to the facial artery;
- an intraoral transilluminator configured to map the facial artery and some of the branches derived from the facial artery;
- a portable intraoral transilluminator is described that is specifically configured for mapping the blood vessels of the face.
- Said transilluminator comprises: an anatomical cable and a head; the anatomical cable is associated with said head with or without a third element intermediate the contact between them; and a central LED arranged inside the head oriented with its illumination focus arranged at 90° with the central axis of reference of the anatomical cable.
- FIG. 1 reveals a front view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in its preferred embodiment
- FIG. 2 reveals a rear view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in its preferred embodiment
- FIG. 3 reveals a front view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in a first alternative embodiment
- FIG. 4 reveals a side view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in a first alternative embodiment
- FIG. 5 reveals a sectional view of the intranasal illumination cable of the invention
- FIG. 6 reveals a front view of the metal skeleton of the intraoral transilluminator of the present invention
- FIG. 7 reveals a side view of the intraoral transilluminator device operating on the patient
- FIG. 8 reveals an enlarged view of FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9 reveals an enlarged view of the transilluminator head of the invention.
- FIG. 10 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 shows a front view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the same apparatus shown in FIG. 10 , the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14 shows a front view of the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention, provided with a disposable flexible hygienic cover;
- FIG. 15 shows a front view of the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention, provided with a sterilizable rigid hygienic cover;
- FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in its fifth constructive configuration
- FIG. 17 shows a front view of the apparatus of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
- the transilluminator 1 of the present invention allows the localization of facial blood vessels 23 (facial artery 23 a and some of its branches 23 b , 23 c , 23 d ), enabling prior mapping of these structures.
- facial blood vessels 23 facial artery 23 a and some of its branches 23 b , 23 c , 23 d
- these structures are preserved, making invasive procedures that require puncture/injections to be safer, reducing the risk of complications and iatrogenics on the face.
- the transilluminator 1 of the invention allows localization of the facial artery 23 a and some of its branches 23 b , 23 c , 23 d . It is a device that, through light emission, facilitates the identification of the position of the facial artery 23 a and some of its branches 23 b , 23 c , 23 d when introduced into the mouth.
- the transilluminator has the function of making aesthetic/functional invasive dermatological procedures in this region safer because it allows a pre-operative with measurable risk aiming at patient safety during the clinical procedure.
- the transilluminator of the invention comprises: a head 2 ; a trunk 13 ; and an anatomical cable 12 .
- the anatomical cable 12 preferably comprises an on/off button 9 ; a light potentiometer 11 ; an intranasal lighting cable 3 provided with an intranasal LED 4 ; and an on/off light 10 .
- Head 2 preferably comprises: a central LED 7 , with its illumination focus oriented 90° with the central axis of reference of the anatomical cable 12 ; a trapezoidal reflective surface 8 that narrows down as it moves away from the anatomical cable 12 ; a lateral sheet 5 on the right and one on the left of head 2 ; said lateral sheet 5 preferably consisting of rubber and having rounded protrusions 6 on its surface.
- Trunk 13 has a preferred shape of a curved edge revolution solid, v.g., a tapered shape that tapers into a nonlinear relationship as it moves away from the anatomical handle 12 . Trunk 13 interfaces the anatomical handle 12 and the head 2 .
- the shape of the head 2 is preferably trapezoidal to fit the patient's mandibular opening, see FIG. 7 .
- the lateral sheet 5 and its protrusions 6 fulfill the function of providing a grip to the patient's teeth 24 .
- the Patient 24 may bite the head 2 of the transilluminator 1 to stabilize the positioning of the device, facilitating the work of the healthcare professional.
- the central LED 7 must be arranged at 90° with the anatomical cable 12 , otherwise it would not be oriented towards the jugal mucosa (the internal lateral face of the mouth) during usage.
- FIG. 2 a front view of the transilluminator 1 of the invention is revealed.
- one of the power supply forms of the apparatus is disclosed, a conventional battery inserted through the back lid 14 .
- the light potentiometer 11 is preferably arranged on one side of the apparatus, allowing thumb handling by the user.
- LEDs 4 and 7 emit red light with a wavelength of 620 to 700 nanometers and a color temperature of 6000 to 7000k.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 show a version of transilluminator 1 without the intranasal illumination cable 3 .
- FIG. 4 it is possible to see the lateral profile of the head 2 , with its rubber lateral sheet 5 and its protrusions 6 , configured to accommodate the patient's teeth.
- FIG. 4 shows the rectangular profile of the lateral sheet 5 and the elongated profile of the protrusions 6 .
- FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the intranasal illumination cable 3 .
- a central wire 15 (configured to bend the flexible LED cable 3 according to the anatomy of each patient's face, see FIGS. 1 and 7 ); two conductor wires 16 , 16 ′, one phase wire 16 and one return wire 16 ′; a filler material 18 , preferably consisting of some high density polymeric foam; and an insulating layer 17 .
- Lead wires 16 , 16 ′ connect intranasal LED 4 to the central electronic circuitry disposed within the anatomical cable 12 .
- the light potentiometer button 11 is pressed for an extended period, intranasal LED 4 is switched on or off.
- the central wire 15 is concentric to the filler material, which in turn is concentric to the insulating layer 17 .
- the conductive wires are preferably inserted into the filler material near the central wire 15 .
- the intranasal illumination cable 3 comprises an optical fiber, directly associated with the central part of the head 2 , receiving light emanating from the central LED 7 .
- the intranasal LED 4 is responsible for transillumination of the nose wing and eventually the nasal dorsal artery 23 d .
- This last artery is not always identified when the intranasal LED 4 is turned off, because of its thin caliber, thickness of skin and its difficult location on the back of the nose.
- the wing and the tip of the nose are very conducive to tissue necrosis due to its low vascularization, and when occlusion of a small artery from the facial artery accidentally occurs, the consequences are harmful, hence the importance of the intranasal illumination cable 3 .
- the metallic skeleton 19 of the transilluminator 1 of the invention is disclosed.
- the function of said metal skeleton 19 is to provide bite resistance for the patient's 24 mouth.
- the metal skeleton 19 is constituted in one piece by a precision casting process (lost wax casting) and comprises: a metal frame 20 trapezoidal (same as head 2 ); a metal trunk 21 (same profile as trunk 13 ); and a threaded cable 22 .
- the metal frame 19 is made of one of the following materials: stainless steel (316 L alloy), titanium or chromium cobalt-molybdenum alloy. Alternatively, it is comprised of a carbon fiber metal composite.
- One of the additional functions of the metal skeleton 19 is to move the center of gravity of the transilluminator closer to the head 2 region, making it easier to support the device only on the bite of patient 24 , without the assistance of the healthcare professional's hands (see FIG. 7 ).
- the metal skeleton 19 must show greater rigidity and density than any other material that makes up the transilluminator 1 , including the materials that make up the anatomical cable 12 and the intranasal illumination cable 3 .
- FIG. 7 reveals the patient 24 subjected to the use of transilluminator 1 .
- the transilluminator 1 of the invention is specifically configured for mapping of face 23 blood vessels.
- FIG. 8 an enlarged view of FIG. 7 is shown, with an accessory component to the transilluminator of the invention, the chin rest 25 .
- the chin rest 25 Screwed to the top of the anatomical cable 12 , near the trunk 13 , the chin rest 25 is an anatomical piece, preferably made of transparent acrylic, configured to rest on the patient's chin 24 , helping to support the transilluminator 1 .
- FIG. 8 it is also possible to identify: the nasal dorsal artery 23 d ; the upper labial artery 23 b ; the lower labial artery 23 c ; all ramifications of the facial artery 23 .
- the chin rest 25 together with the anatomical shape of the head 2 (comprising a trapezoidal external profile) combined with the lateral sheet 5 and its protrusions 6 ; together with the strength characteristic provided by the metal skeleton 19 and the transfer of the center of gravity to the upper part of the apparatus; all of these features together enable the unique functionality of the invention: for the healthcare professional to have both hands free to work on the patient's face 24 , while the device is held by the patient's teeth 24 .
- the head 2 of the transilluminator has the following dimensions: the upper edge D 1 is between 15 mm and 10 mm; base D 2 is between 25 mm and 10 mm; and the height D 3 is between 30 mm and 10 mm. With these dimensions, the transilluminator meets the average mouth profile pattern of most patients 24 .
- FIG. 10 reveals a second configuration of the transilluminator 1 .
- the apparatus uses six LEDs 7 on its head, all of which are positioned in 90° with the central axis of the anatomical cable 12 .
- FIG. 11 a third configuration of the transilluminator 1 .
- the apparatus comprises a single LED 7 and a cylindrical trunk 13 , different from the preferred configuration profile shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 12 shows a fourth configuration of the transilluminator 1 of the invention.
- the apparatus comprises an electrical cable 27 , a source 26 and an outlet 28 .
- the user of that apparatus must keep the transilluminator 1 plugged in a power source while performing the mapping of the face blood vessels.
- FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the second configuration of the transilluminator 1 .
- FIG. 14 shows the second configuration of the transilluminator 1 of the present invention with a flexible disposable sanitary cover 29 .
- the flexible hygienic cover is made of polypropylene film; alternatively, it may be comprised of low-density polyethylene latex film or any other known polymer for application to plastic films.
- the function of the disposable flexible hygienic cover 29 is to allow the use of the apparatus of the invention on different patients 24 without rendering it into a vector of diseases transmissible by saliva and dermal contact.
- the disposable flexible hygienic cover 29 is configured to be disposed after each usage of the transilluminator 1 .
- FIG. 15 shows the second configuration of the transilluminator of the present invention with a rigid and sterilizable hygienic cover 30 .
- This cover is preferably made of clear polyethylene terephthalate and has an internal snap-fit shoulder 31 which fits into a snap skirt 35 , which protrudes from the interface region between the trunk 13 and the anatomical cable 12 .
- the sterilizable rigid hygienic cover 30 is configured to be sterilized with each use of the transilluminator 1 .
- FIG. 16 reveals a fifth configuration of the transilluminator 1 of the present invention which is wireless.
- Said configuration comprises a battery charger 34 with two electrical contacts 33 , designed to communicate with the female contacts 32 present in the inferior portion of the anatomic cable 12 of the transilluminator 1 .
- the transilluminator 1 comprises an internal battery 1 , not disclosed in the figures, which is periodically charged in said battery charger 34 .
- FIG. 17 shows a sixth configuration of the transilluminator 1 of the present invention.
- This configuration comprises a 25 mm round head 2 with 1 central LED 7 and intranasal cable 3 .
- Blood vessel visualization depends on some factors: muscle thickness (the thinner, the more visible), skin color (the lighter, the greater the visibility), male and female (in women it is greater the visibility), caliber and depth of the arteries as well as the existence of their branches (the more caliber and superficial, the more visible they become) and the amount of light in the environment (the lower the clarity, the greater the visibility).
- the present invention meets the objectives it is intended to meet by revealing a portable intraoral transilluminator capable of being used by health and facial aesthetics professionals such as dental surgeons, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, biomedical practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and even professionals who install piercings or adornments that require face piercing.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to the field of medical devices. More specifically, the present invention is related to the field of medical devices configured for detecting and mapping blood veins and arteries of the human body.
- The state of art already knows some devices configured for detection of blood vessels. Usually, in the prior art techniques, the blood vessels are detected and mapped through transillumination techniques. However, the existing devices are not always capable of transillumination during some medical procedures.
- The transillumination technique with the use of an appropriate equipment eases up the mapping of blood vessels, allowing the previous mapping of such elements. This way these structures are preserved, bringing more safety to invasive procedures that may need puncture/injections. This diminishes the risk of complications and iatrogenics.
- Document U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,858, for instance, reveals a transilluminator configured to reveal the vascularization of the human body by the use of infrared light. According to the specifications of the aforementioned document, the infrared light crosses the patient's body but does not run through blood filed organs, such as veins, arteries and capillary vases.
- In the preferred embodiment described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,858, the patient's body superposes the illuminated surface of a table, and above the patient's body, in the opposite side of the light source, it is placed a light receptor, associated to a digital monitor. The output of the device is exhibited trough a displayed image of the vascularized body in said digital monitor.
- Document U.S. Ser. No. 10/274,135, by its turn, reveals a portable transilluminator, configured to map the vascularized bodies and “detecting other subcutaneous structures”.
- According to the specifications of U.S. Ser. No. 10/274,135, this technology has the advantage of being more affordable and having a simpler manufacturing process when compared to other transilluminators. Besides, this prior art allows for the health professional to choose between a variety of wavelengths while handling the equipment.
- Although the prior art techniques already comprise transilluminators, there are some regions of the human body that are hard to be targeted by the transilluminators available today. In said regions, it is rather difficult to perform a esthetical or surgical intervention without exposing the patient to a high risk.
- In esthetical procedures in the human face, for instance, injectable pharmaceuticals, called “fillers” or “support wires” (gels based on hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite, polymethyl methacrylate, polydioxanone wires, etc.), are applied to the patient's face. When the aforementioned substances are introduced in the human skin, it becomes hydrated, nourished, lifted, tensioned or filled. As a consequence, this improves the texture and the esthetics of the skin.
- In some cases, depending on the substance employed, the complete absorption/dissolution by the human body is very slow. It may take up to two years until a complete dissolution of the injected substance. Some of the factors that may alter the absorption time are: physical features, chemical attributes and mechanical details of the injected substance, as well the physiological data regarding the patient.
- A very worrisome accident that may occur during facial fillings is the necrosis of the facial skin by the obstruction of a blood vessel. The necrosis generally occurs when the blood vessels are partially or totally blocked in a facial filling. The blood vessels are partially obstructed by compression when an excessive volume of substance in injected nearby the blood vessel; on the other hand, they are completely blocked when the filling material is injected inside the blood vessel (this is when the vascular embolism, happens).
- In the worst case scenarios, the injection of filling substances nearby the blood vessels may contribute to the appearance of necrosis, local edemas and bruises.
- These inconveniences, related to the regions supplied by the facial artery and its ramifications, may comprise the upper third, middle third and lower third of the face; the eye region, nose sides and nose tip; lips and mentalis.
- The facial artery originates from the external carotid. The point where the artery crosses the jaw, is the anterior groove of masseter muscle. This artery travels a tortuous path toward the nose wing under the risorius and zygomaticus major muscles, passing superficially to the buccinator and elevator anteroposterior muscles and having a variable relationship with the upper lip lift. When approaches the inferior lip, it ramifies into inferior lip's artery and superior lip artery. It also ramifies towards the nose in its nasal artery, whereby it is called angular artery, dividing itself in many branches that penetrate the facial muscles.
- The necrosis of the muscular tissue and the dermic tissue by the accidental injection of lifting substance may occur in 24 hours after the artery obstruction or in 72 hours when a vein is obstructed.
- Currently, since the transilluminators available are not specifically designed to the mapping of blood vessels in the face, nowadays the mapping of these structures relies solely on the anatomy knowledge and personal experience of the health professional.
- However the anatomy books commonly reveal technical illustrations of symmetrical representations of the facial artery, with the contours and branches of the facial artery not reflecting the reality with a lot of precision. Anatomy books may give a didactive representation of the facial artery, but cadaver dissections commonly reveal randomic and assimetric patterns of the facial artery. Some scientific papers even prove that the facial artery and the lip artery branch are quite randomic in terms of their path and assimetric in when compared to the artery in the other side of the face. In some cases, some patients don't even reveal the lip artery branch and some other branches of the facial artery.
- The prior art techniques may allow the mapping of the facial blood vessels through magnetic resonance angiography imaging, color doppler ultrasonography or tomography. But, in most cases, these techniques are forsaken by the patient or the health professional due to their high cost and complexity. This is why it is very rare to see any of them prior to the execution of esthetical procedures and facial surgeries.
- Hence, the prior art does not comprise a transilluminator capable of mapping facial blood vessels efficiently, allowing the health professional the execution of esthetical procedures and facial surgeries with safety and efficiency in his own clinic before each procedure.
- The objectives of the present invention are:
- (i) provide an intraoral transilluminator, this transilluminator being portable and capable of mapping some blood vessels of the human face;
- (ii) an intraoral transilluminator configured to reveal some important blood vessels, avoiding, therefore, the necrosis and the uprising of bruises in the middle and lower thirds of the face after the execution of aesthetica)/surgical procedures, especially in the blood vessels connected to the facial artery;
- (iii) an intraoral transilluminator configured to map the facial artery and some of the branches derived from the facial artery;
- (iv) provide an intraoral transilluminator which may be useful to different health professionals and aesthetics professionals that may work directly over the face of the patient, such as: dental surgeons, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, biomedical doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, even professionals who install piercings or adornments that require perforations on the face;
- (v) provide an intraoral transilluminator capable of executing a fast blood vessel mapping prior to a preoperative, said mapping being performed immediately before the aesthetica) or surgical procedure; and
- (vi) provide an intraoral transilluminator designed to look for the facial artery, the intrabucal transilluminator revealing a straightforward usage being safe and having a low cost of production/operation.
- A portable intraoral transilluminator is described that is specifically configured for mapping the blood vessels of the face. Said transilluminator comprises: an anatomical cable and a head; the anatomical cable is associated with said head with or without a third element intermediate the contact between them; and a central LED arranged inside the head oriented with its illumination focus arranged at 90° with the central axis of reference of the anatomical cable.
-
FIG. 1 —reveals a front view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in its preferred embodiment; -
FIG. 2 —reveals a rear view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in its preferred embodiment; -
FIG. 3 —reveals a front view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in a first alternative embodiment; -
FIG. 4 —reveals a side view of the intraoral transilluminator apparatus of the present invention in a first alternative embodiment; -
FIG. 5 —reveals a sectional view of the intranasal illumination cable of the invention; -
FIG. 6 —reveals a front view of the metal skeleton of the intraoral transilluminator of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 —reveals a side view of the intraoral transilluminator device operating on the patient; -
FIG. 8 —reveals an enlarged view ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 —reveals an enlarged view of the transilluminator head of the invention; -
FIG. 10 —shows a front view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; -
FIG. 11 —shows a front view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 —shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; -
FIG. 13 —shows a perspective view of the same apparatus shown inFIG. 10 , the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 14 —shows a front view of the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention, provided with a disposable flexible hygienic cover; -
FIG. 15 —shows a front view of the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention, provided with a sterilizable rigid hygienic cover; -
FIG. 16 —shows a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in its fifth constructive configuration; and -
FIG. 17 —shows a front view of the apparatus of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. - Nowadays, there is no state-of-the-art portable
intraoral transilluminator 1 capable of mappingfacial blood vessels 23, allowing the health professional to perform cosmetic procedures and facial surgeries with greater safety and dexterity. - The
transilluminator 1 of the present invention allows the localization of facial blood vessels 23 (facial artery 23 a and some of itsbranches - The
transilluminator 1 of the invention allows localization of thefacial artery 23 a and some of itsbranches facial artery 23 a and some of itsbranches - According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, see
FIG. 1 , the transilluminator of the invention comprises: ahead 2; atrunk 13; and ananatomical cable 12. - Still according to
FIG. 1 , theanatomical cable 12 preferably comprises an on/offbutton 9; alight potentiometer 11; anintranasal lighting cable 3 provided with anintranasal LED 4; and an on/off light 10.Head 2 preferably comprises: acentral LED 7, with its illumination focus oriented 90° with the central axis of reference of theanatomical cable 12; a trapezoidalreflective surface 8 that narrows down as it moves away from theanatomical cable 12; alateral sheet 5 on the right and one on the left ofhead 2; saidlateral sheet 5 preferably consisting of rubber and having roundedprotrusions 6 on its surface. -
Trunk 13 has a preferred shape of a curved edge revolution solid, v.g., a tapered shape that tapers into a nonlinear relationship as it moves away from theanatomical handle 12.Trunk 13 interfaces theanatomical handle 12 and thehead 2. - The shape of the
head 2 is preferably trapezoidal to fit the patient's mandibular opening, seeFIG. 7 . Note that thelateral sheet 5 and itsprotrusions 6 fulfill the function of providing a grip to the patient'steeth 24. ThePatient 24 may bite thehead 2 of thetransilluminator 1 to stabilize the positioning of the device, facilitating the work of the healthcare professional. Thecentral LED 7 must be arranged at 90° with theanatomical cable 12, otherwise it would not be oriented towards the jugal mucosa (the internal lateral face of the mouth) during usage. - In
FIG. 2 a front view of thetransilluminator 1 of the invention is revealed. In this figure one of the power supply forms of the apparatus is disclosed, a conventional battery inserted through theback lid 14. Note that thelight potentiometer 11 is preferably arranged on one side of the apparatus, allowing thumb handling by the user. -
LEDs -
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a version oftransilluminator 1 without theintranasal illumination cable 3. - In
FIG. 4 it is possible to see the lateral profile of thehead 2, with itsrubber lateral sheet 5 and itsprotrusions 6, configured to accommodate the patient's teeth.FIG. 4 shows the rectangular profile of thelateral sheet 5 and the elongated profile of theprotrusions 6. -
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of theintranasal illumination cable 3. In this figure it is possible to see a central wire 15 (configured to bend theflexible LED cable 3 according to the anatomy of each patient's face, seeFIGS. 1 and 7 ); two conductor wires 16, 16′, one phase wire 16 and one return wire 16′; afiller material 18, preferably consisting of some high density polymeric foam; and an insulatinglayer 17. Lead wires 16, 16′ connectintranasal LED 4 to the central electronic circuitry disposed within theanatomical cable 12. When thelight potentiometer button 11 is pressed for an extended period,intranasal LED 4 is switched on or off. - Preferably the
central wire 15 is concentric to the filler material, which in turn is concentric to the insulatinglayer 17. The conductive wires are preferably inserted into the filler material near thecentral wire 15. - Alternatively, instead of the lead wires 16, 16′ the
intranasal illumination cable 3 comprises an optical fiber, directly associated with the central part of thehead 2, receiving light emanating from thecentral LED 7. - The
intranasal LED 4 is responsible for transillumination of the nose wing and eventually the nasaldorsal artery 23 d. This last artery is not always identified when theintranasal LED 4 is turned off, because of its thin caliber, thickness of skin and its difficult location on the back of the nose. The wing and the tip of the nose are very conducive to tissue necrosis due to its low vascularization, and when occlusion of a small artery from the facial artery accidentally occurs, the consequences are harmful, hence the importance of theintranasal illumination cable 3. - In
FIG. 6 themetallic skeleton 19 of thetransilluminator 1 of the invention is disclosed. The function of saidmetal skeleton 19 is to provide bite resistance for the patient's 24 mouth. Preferably, themetal skeleton 19 is constituted in one piece by a precision casting process (lost wax casting) and comprises: ametal frame 20 trapezoidal (same as head 2); a metal trunk 21 (same profile as trunk 13); and a threadedcable 22. Preferably, themetal frame 19 is made of one of the following materials: stainless steel (316 L alloy), titanium or chromium cobalt-molybdenum alloy. Alternatively, it is comprised of a carbon fiber metal composite. - One of the additional functions of the
metal skeleton 19 is to move the center of gravity of the transilluminator closer to thehead 2 region, making it easier to support the device only on the bite ofpatient 24, without the assistance of the healthcare professional's hands (seeFIG. 7 ). - Therefore, it is to be understood that the
metal skeleton 19 must show greater rigidity and density than any other material that makes up thetransilluminator 1, including the materials that make up theanatomical cable 12 and theintranasal illumination cable 3. -
FIG. 7 reveals the patient 24 subjected to the use oftransilluminator 1. Note that thetransilluminator 1 of the invention is specifically configured for mapping offace 23 blood vessels. Also noteintranasal illumination cable 3 with its LED intranasal 4 introduced into one of the patient'snostrils 24. - In
FIG. 8 an enlarged view ofFIG. 7 is shown, with an accessory component to the transilluminator of the invention, thechin rest 25. Screwed to the top of theanatomical cable 12, near thetrunk 13, thechin rest 25 is an anatomical piece, preferably made of transparent acrylic, configured to rest on the patient'schin 24, helping to support thetransilluminator 1. - In
FIG. 8 it is also possible to identify: the nasaldorsal artery 23 d; the upperlabial artery 23 b; the lowerlabial artery 23 c; all ramifications of thefacial artery 23. - The
chin rest 25, together with the anatomical shape of the head 2 (comprising a trapezoidal external profile) combined with thelateral sheet 5 and itsprotrusions 6; together with the strength characteristic provided by themetal skeleton 19 and the transfer of the center of gravity to the upper part of the apparatus; all of these features together enable the unique functionality of the invention: for the healthcare professional to have both hands free to work on the patient'sface 24, while the device is held by the patient'steeth 24. - According to
FIG. 9 , preferably thehead 2 of the transilluminator has the following dimensions: the upper edge D1 is between 15 mm and 10 mm; base D2 is between 25 mm and 10 mm; and the height D3 is between 30 mm and 10 mm. With these dimensions, the transilluminator meets the average mouth profile pattern ofmost patients 24. -
FIG. 10 reveals a second configuration of thetransilluminator 1. In this configuration, the apparatus uses sixLEDs 7 on its head, all of which are positioned in 90° with the central axis of theanatomical cable 12. - In
FIG. 11 a third configuration of thetransilluminator 1. In this configuration the apparatus comprises asingle LED 7 and acylindrical trunk 13, different from the preferred configuration profile shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 12 shows a fourth configuration of thetransilluminator 1 of the invention. In this configuration the apparatus comprises anelectrical cable 27, asource 26 and anoutlet 28. In order to use thetransilluminator 1 of the fourth configuration the user of that apparatus must keep thetransilluminator 1 plugged in a power source while performing the mapping of the face blood vessels. -
FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the second configuration of thetransilluminator 1. -
FIG. 14 shows the second configuration of thetransilluminator 1 of the present invention with a flexible disposablesanitary cover 29. Preferably, the flexible hygienic cover is made of polypropylene film; alternatively, it may be comprised of low-density polyethylene latex film or any other known polymer for application to plastic films. - The function of the disposable flexible
hygienic cover 29 is to allow the use of the apparatus of the invention ondifferent patients 24 without rendering it into a vector of diseases transmissible by saliva and dermal contact. Thus, the disposable flexiblehygienic cover 29 is configured to be disposed after each usage of thetransilluminator 1. -
FIG. 15 shows the second configuration of the transilluminator of the present invention with a rigid and sterilizablehygienic cover 30. This cover is preferably made of clear polyethylene terephthalate and has an internal snap-fit shoulder 31 which fits into asnap skirt 35, which protrudes from the interface region between thetrunk 13 and theanatomical cable 12. The sterilizable rigidhygienic cover 30 is configured to be sterilized with each use of thetransilluminator 1. -
FIG. 16 reveals a fifth configuration of thetransilluminator 1 of the present invention which is wireless. Said configuration comprises abattery charger 34 with twoelectrical contacts 33, designed to communicate with thefemale contacts 32 present in the inferior portion of theanatomic cable 12 of thetransilluminator 1. - In this configuration the
transilluminator 1 comprises aninternal battery 1, not disclosed in the figures, which is periodically charged in saidbattery charger 34. -
FIG. 17 shows a sixth configuration of thetransilluminator 1 of the present invention. This configuration comprises a 25 mmround head 2 with 1central LED 7 andintranasal cable 3. - Tests Performed with the Present Invention
- In some experiments performed with prototypes of the invention it was found that: the activation of light causes the arteries, and eventually their branches, to contrast, turning dark in the presence of light. In some cases it was possible to observe a vascular plexus near the base of the mandible through which the artery advances in the face.
- Blood vessel visualization depends on some factors: muscle thickness (the thinner, the more visible), skin color (the lighter, the greater the visibility), male and female (in women it is greater the visibility), caliber and depth of the arteries as well as the existence of their branches (the more caliber and superficial, the more visible they become) and the amount of light in the environment (the lower the clarity, the greater the visibility).
- After localizing the facial artery it was possible to mark on the patient's
skin 24 blood vessels with a dermatographic pen. From then on, the selection of the puncture site, injection and/or drug deposition became more careful and may even be prohibitive, depending on the amount of material to be administered at the site. - It is to be noted that the present invention meets the objectives it is intended to meet by revealing a portable intraoral transilluminator capable of being used by health and facial aesthetics professionals such as dental surgeons, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, biomedical practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and even professionals who install piercings or adornments that require face piercing.
- Note that the scope of protection of the present invention encompasses other possible variations and is limited only by the content of the appended claims, including the possible equivalents thereof.
Claims (15)
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BR102019017389-0A BR102019017389A2 (en) | 2019-08-21 | 2019-08-21 | transilluminator for mapping facial blood vessels |
BRBR102019017389-0 | 2019-08-21 |
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US20220047153A1 (en) * | 2020-08-13 | 2022-02-17 | Arthrex, Inc. | Endoscopic instrument |
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US11547299B2 (en) | 2023-01-10 |
BR102019017389A2 (en) | 2021-03-02 |
CN112401831A (en) | 2021-02-26 |
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